Unconsolidated power is sloppy. A bunch of civilizations / nations / factions that can barely agree on a single thing. Some of them even on the brink of war. It's also known as a federation. On the bright side, it's hard to turn it into a dictatorship.

A corporation or single nation, on the other hand, like the corporation of United States, always seeks to consolidate all power. It often becomes sleek and even organized. Only downside is it's a fucking dictatorship.

Technology in the mix isn't a bad thing, if it's truly open. Not a single hand at the wheel on top.